Tuesday, April 22, 2014

ON TREES BEING FELLED -comments to Mike Garden

Thank you for continuing to
send out your readers' responses regarding the removal of Cypress trees both
damaged and undamaged. The various viewpoints make interesting reading and
there seems to be overwhelming agreement that they should be removed. I am also
keen to see indigenous trees planted more widely along roads, in public spaces
and on private properties for most of the reasons already given, however, as
with exotics, this must be approached with caution. I say this because it
appears that some readers lump all indigenous trees together without regard to
their suitability. For example, although many indigenous species are drought
tolerant amongst other attributes, some popular species are naturally found in
areas of the country which receive higher rainfall than Harare and which may
also receive rainfall at times during the dry season. Planting such species in
Harare may not be a problem if you can water them sufficiently through the dry
season but, for many, this means accessing the city's underground water
reserves. With what we are learning about the critical state of these reserves
planting such species should be avoided to help save water for basic needs for
all. However, there are alternatives if you absolutely have to have such
species such as recycling grey water to use in the garden.

Regarding Jacarandas, whilst
they are exotics I do not know what their water demands are. They obviously
thrive in many parts of the country, even very dry places, and are certainly
invasive under certain conditions. Since they are invasive I would certainly
not recommend their propagation and planting except in the case of our famous
Jacaranda avenues. Harare is famous for these avenues, the vast majority of
which do not receive any irrigation unless someone is watering their verge, God
forbid! I believe these avenues should be maintained and protected, and any
trees needing to be replaced or gaps to be filled should be with Jacarandas to
maintain the appearance.

Speaking of invasive exotics
may I also add that far more of a problem than Jacarandas and being extremely
invasive are the exotic Bauhinias (not to be confused with the indigenous ones)
found in many locations along our streets and in gardens. Beautiful they may be
in flower but look at how they are spreading! In much the same league are some
species of Lantana, Wattle, Water Hyacinth, Pines, Eucalyptus, Cedrella (Toona
cillata) and so on, and look at the problems they are causing.

Since I am adding my comments
to the Cypress debate along with my views on Jacarandas and invasive exotics in
my last email I might as well carry on! Just this morning I was reminded about
the few mature Flamboyants growing at intervals along Sam Nujoma on the Royal
Harare Golf Course side between Downie Avenue and Josiah Tongogara, which
appear to have had a large peg knocked into the trunk below the main fork then
painted white in this location. They also appear to be either weeping a dark
sap down their trunks from these pegs or have been treated with something. The
pegs and paint on each tree look too uniform to be vandalism of some sort.
Might any of your readers or those in council and responsible for these trees
be able to comment on this?